Posts
I just wanted to report to all of you that Gary is having a much better day than the past 2 days! He had a fever last night and of course I was afraid that we would have to make another trek to UCI but his fever broke, the color came back into his face and he looks great today!
He smiled on several occasions today! I am just so happy to see that! I know to most of you it does not seems to be that big of a deal but it is to me and I actually saw a glimmer of the old Gary today! YEAH!!!!
I am off to get kids, do homework, to a staff meeting and baseball practice!
Love,
L
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Monday, September 24, 2007
Another First From The Sallee House
So, Jax has given me the bird and tried to shave his legs. These are definite "firsts" in our house. Tonight Gary had his own "first"! So exciting and awesome. Gary actually sat at the dinner table with us and ate his entire dinner! That is HUGE for our house! Normally, the kids and I sit in the kitchen and eat and Gary lays on the couch in a 1/2 recline to eat his meals. I would love to eat in the family room with Gary but that would mean that I would have to allow the kids to eat in there as well and THAT is a NO NO! My children (not all of them but 1 in particular) is incredibly absent-minded while eating!
Tonight, the Marvel's cooked an amazing dinner for us and we all sat at the dining room table - candles were lit and football was on in the background! It was a great night! The boys played Pokemon on their DS's (what a shocker) and we had great conversation while Gary and Don bar b qued some great chicken. Thanks Marvel's!
I wanted to give you some information about Gary and his ongoing recovery. After going to the doctor and then talking with several people including Ren about recovery and how seemingly long is has been I realize it has not been that long after all. Gary had surgery less than a month ago.
I think when people call me and ask me in a hopefully optomistic tone how Gary is I hate saying that he really is still not good. In my mind I am thinking the cancer is gone, the surgery is over, he is home and now it can only get better - and fast. Boy, I am wrong. It has been hard for me to watch him struggle day after day and I keep hoping for that one day that he will tell me how much better he is feeling.
Don't get me wrong. He is healing and he will get better. It just won't happen as fast as some of us think it will. So, my new approach and response is exactly what the doctors told me and exactly what I have been denying the past couple of weeks. Gary will not start to really feel much better for about 3 months post-op! The estimated recovery time stinks it is a fact and my job is to be super supportive and positive and patient! So that is exactly what I will be!
So, I need to go to bed now before I pass out on the couch. I will continue to keep you posted!
Love, L
Random info - The new bachelor is hot, I can't stand Spencer and Heidi, the Cheetah girls is a great dancer, South Park is a nasty show, Jax is going to be a Whoopie Cushion for halloween and thank God Hobie is getting fixed at the end of October! Hobie is quite dangerous around ANY female dog right now!
Tonight, the Marvel's cooked an amazing dinner for us and we all sat at the dining room table - candles were lit and football was on in the background! It was a great night! The boys played Pokemon on their DS's (what a shocker) and we had great conversation while Gary and Don bar b qued some great chicken. Thanks Marvel's!
I wanted to give you some information about Gary and his ongoing recovery. After going to the doctor and then talking with several people including Ren about recovery and how seemingly long is has been I realize it has not been that long after all. Gary had surgery less than a month ago.
I think when people call me and ask me in a hopefully optomistic tone how Gary is I hate saying that he really is still not good. In my mind I am thinking the cancer is gone, the surgery is over, he is home and now it can only get better - and fast. Boy, I am wrong. It has been hard for me to watch him struggle day after day and I keep hoping for that one day that he will tell me how much better he is feeling.
Don't get me wrong. He is healing and he will get better. It just won't happen as fast as some of us think it will. So, my new approach and response is exactly what the doctors told me and exactly what I have been denying the past couple of weeks. Gary will not start to really feel much better for about 3 months post-op! The estimated recovery time stinks it is a fact and my job is to be super supportive and positive and patient! So that is exactly what I will be!
So, I need to go to bed now before I pass out on the couch. I will continue to keep you posted!
Love, L
Random info - The new bachelor is hot, I can't stand Spencer and Heidi, the Cheetah girls is a great dancer, South Park is a nasty show, Jax is going to be a Whoopie Cushion for halloween and thank God Hobie is getting fixed at the end of October! Hobie is quite dangerous around ANY female dog right now!
Friday, September 21, 2007
Just So YOU REALLY Know
I would like to apologize for not sending out thank you cards yet. I honestly have been overwhelmed with almost everything in my life and things have most defenitely caught up with me over the past two weeks or so. I think about sending them out every day - in fact every hour of every day if truth be known!
We start out every single day of our lives thanking God for placing all of you in our lives. We absolutely would have never wanted to go through this without all of your prayers, friendships, love, support, smiles, notes, meals, "pop overs" and everything else!
BTW - A thank you to whoever sent me the manilla envelope with the Starbucks Card (there are no words to tell you how much I LOVE Starbucks!!!) and the awesome Celebrity Gossip Magazine (another guilty pleasure)!
I pormise that I will get the thank yous out eventually. It is truly not because we are not thankful or have not thought about thanking you. It is super important to both of us that you all know how grateful we are. Please be patient with me - we all know I am the one having to write them all out! I have 3 page list of people we need to thank and I hope all of you are reading this so that you know how grateful we are despite my lagging on sending out something more formal!
GARY UPDATE
We went to the doctor office yesterday and the entire team is very pleased with Gary's progress! He does not have to go back until December 13th!! No Chemo and No Radiation! YEAH!!! He drove today for the first time in a long while and is now reclining on the couch watching..................3 guesses...............anyone???....................The History Channel! They should come to our house and shoot a commercial! Gary would be their biggest fan and best advertiser!
He is still in pain but is now taking Advil and trying to stay as still as possible. When he is still the pain is completely managable. Please pray that he learns to use his new "plumbing" and that he is able to begin to network with people so that he can get back to work once his healing is complete!
I am going to the Angels Game tonight with our 5th & 6th grade kids from church! We always have a great time with the kids and since the Angels are in such a great place the crowd should be nice and wild!!! GO ANGELS!!!!
Jax and Hobie and I are eating turkey bacon and looking at Halloweeen Costumes. He wants to be Homer Simpson. The 3rd child is sooooo different! Homer Simpson? My kids don't even watch that show but they did ask to see the movie when it came out and of course we said NO WAY!
The boys are home and we are going to get ready for BIG BANG FRIDAY!!!
Have a great Friday!
Blessings,
Lisa and Gary
We start out every single day of our lives thanking God for placing all of you in our lives. We absolutely would have never wanted to go through this without all of your prayers, friendships, love, support, smiles, notes, meals, "pop overs" and everything else!
BTW - A thank you to whoever sent me the manilla envelope with the Starbucks Card (there are no words to tell you how much I LOVE Starbucks!!!) and the awesome Celebrity Gossip Magazine (another guilty pleasure)!
I pormise that I will get the thank yous out eventually. It is truly not because we are not thankful or have not thought about thanking you. It is super important to both of us that you all know how grateful we are. Please be patient with me - we all know I am the one having to write them all out! I have 3 page list of people we need to thank and I hope all of you are reading this so that you know how grateful we are despite my lagging on sending out something more formal!
GARY UPDATE
We went to the doctor office yesterday and the entire team is very pleased with Gary's progress! He does not have to go back until December 13th!! No Chemo and No Radiation! YEAH!!! He drove today for the first time in a long while and is now reclining on the couch watching..................3 guesses...............anyone???....................The History Channel! They should come to our house and shoot a commercial! Gary would be their biggest fan and best advertiser!
He is still in pain but is now taking Advil and trying to stay as still as possible. When he is still the pain is completely managable. Please pray that he learns to use his new "plumbing" and that he is able to begin to network with people so that he can get back to work once his healing is complete!
I am going to the Angels Game tonight with our 5th & 6th grade kids from church! We always have a great time with the kids and since the Angels are in such a great place the crowd should be nice and wild!!! GO ANGELS!!!!
Jax and Hobie and I are eating turkey bacon and looking at Halloweeen Costumes. He wants to be Homer Simpson. The 3rd child is sooooo different! Homer Simpson? My kids don't even watch that show but they did ask to see the movie when it came out and of course we said NO WAY!
The boys are home and we are going to get ready for BIG BANG FRIDAY!!!
Have a great Friday!
Blessings,
Lisa and Gary
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Beware of sharp objects!
This is a good story.
Jax is in the bathtub today taking a nice, warm bubblebath. He has the usual toys that squirt massive amounts of water all over the walls despite the fact that I have told him on numerous occasions not to squirt up and on the walls. Anyhow, I leave him in the tub to go into our bedroom to put laundry away. I give a shout out to him every couple minutes to make sure he is okay and sure enough he lets me know each time that he is.
All of the sudden he tells me that he is done and wants out of the tub now. I hear him and continue doing what I am doing because I am in the middle of a task. I tell him to let the water out and to let me know when the water has drained so that I can get him a towel. He tells me that he wants me in the bathroom NOW!
I go into the bathroom and he tells me that he is bleeding. He begins to cry. I look over to see blood on his leg and then I catch a glimpse of the cover that goes over the head of my razor. Uh oh.
I walk over to him and get a closer look at his leg. It is bleeding, not profusely, but it is bleeding. I can see 3 perfectly spaced razor marks on his leg and I ask him if he was playing with my razor.
He denies playing with the razor then eventually cops up to it and tells me through the tears that his leg hurts! No kidding!
Zach got him a bandage and we proceeded to have a discussion as to why boys don't use razors let alone shave their legs!
This is a first in the Sallee household. Zach and Nate I don't think have ever even thought about shaving their legs before. Leave it to Jax! He seems to be jockeying to be "the first" at lots of things lately!
Have a great night and hide your razors! :)
Love, L
Jax is in the bathtub today taking a nice, warm bubblebath. He has the usual toys that squirt massive amounts of water all over the walls despite the fact that I have told him on numerous occasions not to squirt up and on the walls. Anyhow, I leave him in the tub to go into our bedroom to put laundry away. I give a shout out to him every couple minutes to make sure he is okay and sure enough he lets me know each time that he is.
All of the sudden he tells me that he is done and wants out of the tub now. I hear him and continue doing what I am doing because I am in the middle of a task. I tell him to let the water out and to let me know when the water has drained so that I can get him a towel. He tells me that he wants me in the bathroom NOW!
I go into the bathroom and he tells me that he is bleeding. He begins to cry. I look over to see blood on his leg and then I catch a glimpse of the cover that goes over the head of my razor. Uh oh.
I walk over to him and get a closer look at his leg. It is bleeding, not profusely, but it is bleeding. I can see 3 perfectly spaced razor marks on his leg and I ask him if he was playing with my razor.
He denies playing with the razor then eventually cops up to it and tells me through the tears that his leg hurts! No kidding!
Zach got him a bandage and we proceeded to have a discussion as to why boys don't use razors let alone shave their legs!
This is a first in the Sallee household. Zach and Nate I don't think have ever even thought about shaving their legs before. Leave it to Jax! He seems to be jockeying to be "the first" at lots of things lately!
Have a great night and hide your razors! :)
Love, L
Monday, September 17, 2007
Happy Tuesday
Well, the first official day of the week has ended. The boys came home from school yesterday super hyper so we went swimming for a few hours. They came home and did their homework and the evening was nice and calm!
Sunday was a very rough day for Gary and for me. Gary was not feeling well all night Saturday Night and we needed to get to the bottom of why he seemed to be regressing. He has been in a lot of pain and it is very hard for me to see him like that.
Well, he is doing better. The doctor has put him back on pain killers (Gary refused for a while to take them and was only taking a few Tylenol a day)! Yeah for the doctors! He will actually listen to them. Why are men like that? I wonder why they are so resistent to listen to us. Really, I have no problem admitting when I am wrong. It truly doen't happen very often (maybe 1X a year) but I am big enough to own up to my wrongs! :) I think some of my close friends might have even heard me utter a sorry or two over the past few years! :)
Gary has an appointment on Thursday for a check up. I know he is healing well and we pray that he continues to do so. Please pray for peace for Gary. He is struggling with being home and down and not being able to work and provide for us right now. God has healed him and with our networking and praying he will get a job too! Timing, timing, timing! It is hard to wait - especially for a man. Here we go on the whole man thing again. I will stop right here and now!
Off to get Jax and get back to work.
Have a great day and enjoy the Fall-like weather!
Love,
L
Sunday was a very rough day for Gary and for me. Gary was not feeling well all night Saturday Night and we needed to get to the bottom of why he seemed to be regressing. He has been in a lot of pain and it is very hard for me to see him like that.
Well, he is doing better. The doctor has put him back on pain killers (Gary refused for a while to take them and was only taking a few Tylenol a day)! Yeah for the doctors! He will actually listen to them. Why are men like that? I wonder why they are so resistent to listen to us. Really, I have no problem admitting when I am wrong. It truly doen't happen very often (maybe 1X a year) but I am big enough to own up to my wrongs! :) I think some of my close friends might have even heard me utter a sorry or two over the past few years! :)
Gary has an appointment on Thursday for a check up. I know he is healing well and we pray that he continues to do so. Please pray for peace for Gary. He is struggling with being home and down and not being able to work and provide for us right now. God has healed him and with our networking and praying he will get a job too! Timing, timing, timing! It is hard to wait - especially for a man. Here we go on the whole man thing again. I will stop right here and now!
Off to get Jax and get back to work.
Have a great day and enjoy the Fall-like weather!
Love,
L
Saturday, September 15, 2007
Thank God for Sundays
Today was a down day for Gary. He is trying so incredibly hard to make it through each day and he would love to have just one day when he wasn't uncomfortable or in pain or compromised in some way. When I think about how long he has been hurting it has basically been this entire 2007 calendar year. That is one heck of a long time to feel cruddy. Like I said before this pain is different. It does not make it better. But, he is healing and we have so much to be thankful for.
I look forward to Sundays for many reasons. Every other week we get to hang with our Home Group - 10 adults and 13 kids! We also get to spend time with so many of our friends from church. Since Gary has been down and out John Grudynski & Matt Sather have been helping me out with set up and tear down each week. All of my teachers have helped me so much with some added responsibility including cleanup! I just love going to church and I love the boys being a part of our church family!
Zach has a baseball game tomorrow afternoon. I have to do my Grocery Game list tonight so I can save some serious $$$$ at Ralphs! We are having dinner with friends tomorrow night and we of course have to put the finishing touches on the homework! It is always action packed on Sundays!
Evidentally the boys watched a really interesting show today called Ghost Stories. I just want to say that it was not on my watch! I understand that these are "real" stories. Have the boys ever watched anything like that? NO!!!!!!!!! Now, I am paying the price. Jax is afraid to go to sleep in his room and is waiting for me to either sleep with him or he wants to sleep in our bedroom! What a great show! Can't wait for them to watch another episode!
Hobie is barking and I need to tend to the little guy and make sure Gary is comfortable and doesn't need anything before I go back to cleaning the house!
I hope everyone has a great evening and a wonderful Sunday!
Love & Smiles,
L
I look forward to Sundays for many reasons. Every other week we get to hang with our Home Group - 10 adults and 13 kids! We also get to spend time with so many of our friends from church. Since Gary has been down and out John Grudynski & Matt Sather have been helping me out with set up and tear down each week. All of my teachers have helped me so much with some added responsibility including cleanup! I just love going to church and I love the boys being a part of our church family!
Zach has a baseball game tomorrow afternoon. I have to do my Grocery Game list tonight so I can save some serious $$$$ at Ralphs! We are having dinner with friends tomorrow night and we of course have to put the finishing touches on the homework! It is always action packed on Sundays!
Evidentally the boys watched a really interesting show today called Ghost Stories. I just want to say that it was not on my watch! I understand that these are "real" stories. Have the boys ever watched anything like that? NO!!!!!!!!! Now, I am paying the price. Jax is afraid to go to sleep in his room and is waiting for me to either sleep with him or he wants to sleep in our bedroom! What a great show! Can't wait for them to watch another episode!
Hobie is barking and I need to tend to the little guy and make sure Gary is comfortable and doesn't need anything before I go back to cleaning the house!
I hope everyone has a great evening and a wonderful Sunday!
Love & Smiles,
L
Friday, September 14, 2007
What My Child Learned At Kindergarten Today
I had to write. With a smirk on my face and much to Lori's dismay I have to tell you what Jax learned today at school. Did he learn to tie his shoes? Nope. Did he learn AEIOU & sometimes Y? Not that either. Did he learn how to be an excellent line leader? No. This is what he did learn today. Here goes the conversation at pick up. This all transpired within a 10 second timeframe.
Jax:Hi Mom. Guess what? 2 kids in my class JUST NOW said THE F word!
I think my eyes got REALLY BIG.
Me: Honey, are you sure they said THE F word?
Jax: Yes they did Mom and they do not get their Thanks ticket today. (their daily reward)
I am thinking but I don't want to ask if he REALLY knows what THE F word is.
I asked Lori and sure enough THE F word was uttered by a student or two!
I laugh but I think I would hate to be the parent whose child actually uttered THE WORD at school! We have all been there (in an embarrassing situation) with our kids. I am glad it's not mine! He saves the whole giving me THE BIRD for home viewing only!
Have a great afternoon!
Lisa
Jax:Hi Mom. Guess what? 2 kids in my class JUST NOW said THE F word!
I think my eyes got REALLY BIG.
Me: Honey, are you sure they said THE F word?
Jax: Yes they did Mom and they do not get their Thanks ticket today. (their daily reward)
I am thinking but I don't want to ask if he REALLY knows what THE F word is.
I asked Lori and sure enough THE F word was uttered by a student or two!
I laugh but I think I would hate to be the parent whose child actually uttered THE WORD at school! We have all been there (in an embarrassing situation) with our kids. I am glad it's not mine! He saves the whole giving me THE BIRD for home viewing only!
Have a great afternoon!
Lisa
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Thank God for Ann Corwin
We have always valued the esteemed advice of Dr. Ann Corwin. During Zach and Nate's toddler years I went to a group called Toddler Talk each week that was lead by Dr. Corwin. She helped Gary and I through several behavioral issues that we experienced with the boys while they were younger. She never ever lead us down the wrong path while we learned how to effectively discipline and help our kids grow and change their behavior. Well, here we are again calling on Ann to help us with some things that Jax is struggling with.
Jax has been reacting out of fear and new negative behavior has creeped up on us all and we felt like we needed some help to make sure that we were helping Jax to work through things and actually take control of changing his behavior.
Ann has done it again and has placed us on the right path to help Jax be successful! We are so thankful! Praise God for Ann!
We got home from UCI tonight after spending about 1 1/2 hours with the doctors and nurses there. Post-op is not a great experience and Gary even said today that part of him wished he was back in the hospital when he did not have to do anything - drugged up and in bed with a catheter! My heart hurts for him as I see him struggle to get better. He wants to be fully recovered RIGHT NOW and this is going to be a little bit of a longer road than I think either one of us thought.
His pathology is completely 100% clean and he will need to focus now on figuring out how to use his new bladder. I tell him it will take time but it will happen. I can only relate with a pregnancy story. I have had 3 and everytime for a period of time my body completely changes and then with time I get back to a new normal - after having a baby sometimes our cycle changes or our moods change or we pee when we laugh too hard! (I know some of you have had that happen! )
Please keep Gary in your prayers throughout this process. He needs us to pray for his healing (and quickly) and for his mind and spirit to be strong and solid and positive!
Well, we are going to watch Anger Management and hopefully have a few laughs! Thanks to everyone who has visited us and called us!
In His Love,
L
Jax has been reacting out of fear and new negative behavior has creeped up on us all and we felt like we needed some help to make sure that we were helping Jax to work through things and actually take control of changing his behavior.
Ann has done it again and has placed us on the right path to help Jax be successful! We are so thankful! Praise God for Ann!
We got home from UCI tonight after spending about 1 1/2 hours with the doctors and nurses there. Post-op is not a great experience and Gary even said today that part of him wished he was back in the hospital when he did not have to do anything - drugged up and in bed with a catheter! My heart hurts for him as I see him struggle to get better. He wants to be fully recovered RIGHT NOW and this is going to be a little bit of a longer road than I think either one of us thought.
His pathology is completely 100% clean and he will need to focus now on figuring out how to use his new bladder. I tell him it will take time but it will happen. I can only relate with a pregnancy story. I have had 3 and everytime for a period of time my body completely changes and then with time I get back to a new normal - after having a baby sometimes our cycle changes or our moods change or we pee when we laugh too hard! (I know some of you have had that happen! )
Please keep Gary in your prayers throughout this process. He needs us to pray for his healing (and quickly) and for his mind and spirit to be strong and solid and positive!
Well, we are going to watch Anger Management and hopefully have a few laughs! Thanks to everyone who has visited us and called us!
In His Love,
L
UPSTAIRS
Gary finally made it upstair to bed on Tuesday! He comes to bed late but he actually sleeps with me!
We have a doctor appointment today at 3:30 and we have many questions we are hoping to get answered.
The boys will stay home with the Muck family so we can have peace and quiet at our appointment.
We have been getting the greatest meals! It has been such a blessing to not have to cook most nights. It takes the pressure off.
We are off to school - YEAH! I have to wash cars this morning and get up to Sonshine Bookstore to pick up some curriculum I have been waiting for for the past 2 weeks! I have a phone consult with the amazing Ann Corwin today. I am hoping she can help Gary and I with one of our children's situational behavior struggles.
I hope everyone has a great day and I will update tonight after our appointment.
Have the greatest day ever!
Love, L
We have a doctor appointment today at 3:30 and we have many questions we are hoping to get answered.
The boys will stay home with the Muck family so we can have peace and quiet at our appointment.
We have been getting the greatest meals! It has been such a blessing to not have to cook most nights. It takes the pressure off.
We are off to school - YEAH! I have to wash cars this morning and get up to Sonshine Bookstore to pick up some curriculum I have been waiting for for the past 2 weeks! I have a phone consult with the amazing Ann Corwin today. I am hoping she can help Gary and I with one of our children's situational behavior struggles.
I hope everyone has a great day and I will update tonight after our appointment.
Have the greatest day ever!
Love, L
Monday, September 10, 2007
Just a Day
I wanted to post before I head off to bed. Gary is still sleeping downstairs because our bed is too high for him to climb in and out of. He is doing a little bit better I think. He went to church for about 1/2 hour yesterday and even went up on stage and spoke for a few moments! He did a great job for a first timer! We all know how much I love getting up in front of people and I think we are both in the same boat. I will say that the more I do it the easier it gets!
Our home group came over last night and we all had a great time! The kids play so well together - all 13 of them! The bounce house is on its very last legs and it has given our home group kids a great year of bouncing, wrestling, playing and jumping! God rest the bounce house!
Nate and Zach had baseball games yesterday and they both had pretty good games. Zach was disappointed in his pitching but we reminded him that he has not pitched since May so he had better not be so hard on himself! He said that he got a few good hits and he had fun! Nate went 3 for 3 and made a play to first for the out! Way to go Nate! They both love the game and have a great time with their friends!
Zach swam at Cameron's this weekend and had a great time and Nate went home with CJ today to play and swim! CARSON'S birthday is today - HAPPY BDAY CARSON and we went to his house tonight to celebrate with pizza and a TRUE ice cream cake! The boys went to bed later than usual and I think the boys think this time of year is just a modified version of summer! Enjoy it now while it is warm, before the homework starts piling on and before the time changes. Times they are a changin'!
Gary has an appointment on Thursday and I think he is a little nervous about it. He is struggling a little right now. He is tired of the healing process and I know he is growing restless from being out of work. He is up for 10 minutes and then is hurting so he has to go back down again. I reminded him that healing is slow and that he needs to stay focused and positive. I am going to take him out and about for a while in the morning to get some fresh air and a fresh perspective.
We have loved everyone calling and coming by to visit. We love the meals and the cards and the out pouring of love and support!
BTW - Something somewhat comical with one of my kids - who shall remain unnamed - that will make you feel like your children are absolute angels.
One of our precious little angels gave me "THE BIRD" last night! Yes, you read correctly! They do not know what it means but they do know that it is something that is unacceptable and they know it is B A D !!!! Do you feel better about your childs behavior now??? Glad I could help some of you out!
Love and Hugs and
Our home group came over last night and we all had a great time! The kids play so well together - all 13 of them! The bounce house is on its very last legs and it has given our home group kids a great year of bouncing, wrestling, playing and jumping! God rest the bounce house!
Nate and Zach had baseball games yesterday and they both had pretty good games. Zach was disappointed in his pitching but we reminded him that he has not pitched since May so he had better not be so hard on himself! He said that he got a few good hits and he had fun! Nate went 3 for 3 and made a play to first for the out! Way to go Nate! They both love the game and have a great time with their friends!
Zach swam at Cameron's this weekend and had a great time and Nate went home with CJ today to play and swim! CARSON'S birthday is today - HAPPY BDAY CARSON and we went to his house tonight to celebrate with pizza and a TRUE ice cream cake! The boys went to bed later than usual and I think the boys think this time of year is just a modified version of summer! Enjoy it now while it is warm, before the homework starts piling on and before the time changes. Times they are a changin'!
Gary has an appointment on Thursday and I think he is a little nervous about it. He is struggling a little right now. He is tired of the healing process and I know he is growing restless from being out of work. He is up for 10 minutes and then is hurting so he has to go back down again. I reminded him that healing is slow and that he needs to stay focused and positive. I am going to take him out and about for a while in the morning to get some fresh air and a fresh perspective.
We have loved everyone calling and coming by to visit. We love the meals and the cards and the out pouring of love and support!
BTW - Something somewhat comical with one of my kids - who shall remain unnamed - that will make you feel like your children are absolute angels.
One of our precious little angels gave me "THE BIRD" last night! Yes, you read correctly! They do not know what it means but they do know that it is something that is unacceptable and they know it is B A D !!!! Do you feel better about your childs behavior now??? Glad I could help some of you out!
Love and Hugs and
Saturday, September 8, 2007
One In The Same
I don't know about everyone else but every day seems the same to me. Whether it be Monday or Saturday or Wednesday it really doesn't make a difference. All of my days have seemed long lately and Jax has been giving me a run for my money as of late. The whole duct tape thing is looking better by the hour on most days!!!
Last weekend Stacy, Michele, Steve, Jeff, Christy Ronda and the Solt's got to see Jax in action as he tried manipulate me - HARD CORE! One thing that is not working in his favor is that my will is WAY stronger than his! The whole strong-willed thing is only beneficial when we become adults! Anyhow, he seems to try my patience EVERY SINGLE DAY without giving me a break! It is wearing thin but thankfully I can refocus most of the time and stop and pray and gain that extra measure of patience that saves him from having a rather large piece of duct tape plastered across his mouth! This too shall pass and I can wait. I have patience and I think I was a little bit like Jax growing up. I know this is very hard for anyone of you to believe but I was less than perfect as a child! :)
All three of our boys have weathered these circumstances amazingly well and they are so glad to have Gary home. Jax loves Brownie the Bear that the boys made for Gary and he has dressed him up in his official Angels uniform! All 3 boys have been so helpful and loving and caring with Gary. Hopefully this is a foreshadow of what kind of husbands and fathers they will all be someday. What a gift they all are to us! Our beautiful boys are incredibly sensitive and we thank God for them every minute of every day (even when they are manipulative)! :)
Gary had his first outing this afternoon and we went to Stacy's house for dinner. I think he hung in there but I know he was uncomfortable even though he got to hang on the couch and the dogs were all kept on the outside of the gates! I am hoping he is tired enough to have a great sleep tonight. He really needs it! He is actually asleep on the couch and I do think I hear some soft snoring! Finally - maybe a deeper sleep for Gary!
Home Group is coming over Sunday night and we are looking forward to that. Right now it is easier if people come to us!
Both of the boys have their baseball games tomorrow at Noon at different fields. Since I watched Zach play in the Sandlot all summer I told Nate that I would go to his game and Zach would have his own cheering section consisting of Michele, Jenn, Monica, Kayla, Hailey and I am sure other parents on the team. I feel bad not being at Zach's game but I know Gary is not ready to sit for a few hours to watch a game quite yet and I can only be in 1 place at a time. Next week!!!
I am off to bed. Sunday mornings start early for me at church and tomorrow is our first time doing full set up all summer. I got used to being able to store things at Tesoro. I am grateful we got to do it as long as we did!
Once again, we love you all and thank you. Please know that if we have not sent a thank you note to you (FYI - no one has received one) or returned your calls it is not that we aren't thankful. I honestly have not had the time to sit down yet to begin eityher one of thess things. I will eventually do it but know that we are thankful and you are truly an answer to prayers for our entire family!
Have a great night and we will talk again tomorrow night!
Love,
L
Last weekend Stacy, Michele, Steve, Jeff, Christy Ronda and the Solt's got to see Jax in action as he tried manipulate me - HARD CORE! One thing that is not working in his favor is that my will is WAY stronger than his! The whole strong-willed thing is only beneficial when we become adults! Anyhow, he seems to try my patience EVERY SINGLE DAY without giving me a break! It is wearing thin but thankfully I can refocus most of the time and stop and pray and gain that extra measure of patience that saves him from having a rather large piece of duct tape plastered across his mouth! This too shall pass and I can wait. I have patience and I think I was a little bit like Jax growing up. I know this is very hard for anyone of you to believe but I was less than perfect as a child! :)
All three of our boys have weathered these circumstances amazingly well and they are so glad to have Gary home. Jax loves Brownie the Bear that the boys made for Gary and he has dressed him up in his official Angels uniform! All 3 boys have been so helpful and loving and caring with Gary. Hopefully this is a foreshadow of what kind of husbands and fathers they will all be someday. What a gift they all are to us! Our beautiful boys are incredibly sensitive and we thank God for them every minute of every day (even when they are manipulative)! :)
Gary had his first outing this afternoon and we went to Stacy's house for dinner. I think he hung in there but I know he was uncomfortable even though he got to hang on the couch and the dogs were all kept on the outside of the gates! I am hoping he is tired enough to have a great sleep tonight. He really needs it! He is actually asleep on the couch and I do think I hear some soft snoring! Finally - maybe a deeper sleep for Gary!
Home Group is coming over Sunday night and we are looking forward to that. Right now it is easier if people come to us!
Both of the boys have their baseball games tomorrow at Noon at different fields. Since I watched Zach play in the Sandlot all summer I told Nate that I would go to his game and Zach would have his own cheering section consisting of Michele, Jenn, Monica, Kayla, Hailey and I am sure other parents on the team. I feel bad not being at Zach's game but I know Gary is not ready to sit for a few hours to watch a game quite yet and I can only be in 1 place at a time. Next week!!!
I am off to bed. Sunday mornings start early for me at church and tomorrow is our first time doing full set up all summer. I got used to being able to store things at Tesoro. I am grateful we got to do it as long as we did!
Once again, we love you all and thank you. Please know that if we have not sent a thank you note to you (FYI - no one has received one) or returned your calls it is not that we aren't thankful. I honestly have not had the time to sit down yet to begin eityher one of thess things. I will eventually do it but know that we are thankful and you are truly an answer to prayers for our entire family!
Have a great night and we will talk again tomorrow night!
Love,
L
Friday, September 7, 2007
Elvis Was In The House
Elvis was in the house last night! He appeared around 6 PM. He came through our front door and ran into the family room where Gary was reclining on the couch. Hobie caught sight of Elvis and came bounding in after him.
Can anyone guess where Elvis landed after he jumped??? Anyone????
If you guessed right on top of Gary you are the winner! Right smack on his ENTIRE abdominal region - the WHOLE AREA! I was in the kitchen and out of nowhere I hear a LOUD YELL - it was Gary!
I really thought we would have to go to the hospital to get Gary checked out but so far he seems to be okay.
If you haven't figured out who Elvis is, Elvis is a Boxer puppy that weighs in at around 35-40 pounds! He is Hobie's best friend (when they are together) and they love to swim together in Stacy's pool! Elvis belongs to Stacy, Carson and Kendyl and we love Elvis! He definitely Shook everything up last night!
Gary had a 4 hour visit with his RN John yesterday at the house. John was super nice and gave Gary a stern talking to about his insane notion of how ready he is to the laundry and wash dishes and other household duties! Yeah for John!
Gary seems to be healing well and he has a Dr. appointment next Thursday. He is in fairly good spirits but I know he is getting sick and tired of sitting around the house all day. Hopefully as he gains more strength he will be able to go on short car rides and run a few small errands.
I am getting his temporary handicap placard tomorrow. That baby will come in handy at Angels games, the beach, shopping at the mall, etc.... The sky is the limit! I guess in order to use it I just have to have Gary in the car! Rats!! Plan B......
Anyhow, he watched Top Gun today and many cooking shows! He also watched the Discovery Channel and snuggled with Jax when he got home from school! Jax has been glued to his side when he is home!
My Mom is leaving us tomorrow! :( We will miss her and we love having her here. She got to spend lots of time with her friends and that is so good for her! She misses everyone and her girlfriends are great! Maybe the airlines will cancel her flight tomorrow and she will have to stay another day! The boys want her to stay for at least another 2 weeks. We love our Nana and she will be missed. She is planning her next adventure in October to England and Scotland for 28 days with friends! How great that will be for her!
Well, the boys are going to the Angels Game tonight - GO ANGELS - and my Mom, Kendyl, Jax and I are going out to dinner! I am sure Jax will want Rubys which is fine. I love their turkey burgers!
Gary and I are talking a little at church this weekend and we are both looking forward to it.
Baseball is in full swing and both boys have games this Sunday at 12 Noon - same time different fields - of course!
Love to all of you and sorry Stacy for not posting sooner! I did not think anyone was interested in still reading this thing!
Love, Lisa
Can anyone guess where Elvis landed after he jumped??? Anyone????
If you guessed right on top of Gary you are the winner! Right smack on his ENTIRE abdominal region - the WHOLE AREA! I was in the kitchen and out of nowhere I hear a LOUD YELL - it was Gary!
I really thought we would have to go to the hospital to get Gary checked out but so far he seems to be okay.
If you haven't figured out who Elvis is, Elvis is a Boxer puppy that weighs in at around 35-40 pounds! He is Hobie's best friend (when they are together) and they love to swim together in Stacy's pool! Elvis belongs to Stacy, Carson and Kendyl and we love Elvis! He definitely Shook everything up last night!
Gary had a 4 hour visit with his RN John yesterday at the house. John was super nice and gave Gary a stern talking to about his insane notion of how ready he is to the laundry and wash dishes and other household duties! Yeah for John!
Gary seems to be healing well and he has a Dr. appointment next Thursday. He is in fairly good spirits but I know he is getting sick and tired of sitting around the house all day. Hopefully as he gains more strength he will be able to go on short car rides and run a few small errands.
I am getting his temporary handicap placard tomorrow. That baby will come in handy at Angels games, the beach, shopping at the mall, etc.... The sky is the limit! I guess in order to use it I just have to have Gary in the car! Rats!! Plan B......
Anyhow, he watched Top Gun today and many cooking shows! He also watched the Discovery Channel and snuggled with Jax when he got home from school! Jax has been glued to his side when he is home!
My Mom is leaving us tomorrow! :( We will miss her and we love having her here. She got to spend lots of time with her friends and that is so good for her! She misses everyone and her girlfriends are great! Maybe the airlines will cancel her flight tomorrow and she will have to stay another day! The boys want her to stay for at least another 2 weeks. We love our Nana and she will be missed. She is planning her next adventure in October to England and Scotland for 28 days with friends! How great that will be for her!
Well, the boys are going to the Angels Game tonight - GO ANGELS - and my Mom, Kendyl, Jax and I are going out to dinner! I am sure Jax will want Rubys which is fine. I love their turkey burgers!
Gary and I are talking a little at church this weekend and we are both looking forward to it.
Baseball is in full swing and both boys have games this Sunday at 12 Noon - same time different fields - of course!
Love to all of you and sorry Stacy for not posting sooner! I did not think anyone was interested in still reading this thing!
Love, Lisa
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Couch Potato
Geez! All Gary does is lay on the couch and watch TV! It gets annoying hour after hour watching him veg and not be a productive member of our family! Does he think that major surgery gives him the right to be exempt from all family activity?
Hey, I squeezed out 3 kids, had a bowel resection, hernia surgery (7 months PG) and had double pneumonia (PG also) and I was up doing everything within a day or two! Get going Gary!
After reading the paragraph above to Gary he simply shrugged his eyebrows as if to say - wait I definitely can't repeat what he said here!! Let's pray for his salvation for that comment!
All kidding aside and let's get serious! He is doing GREAT and it is SUPER GREAT having him back home! The kids love him being back and woke up this morning wanting to wake him just to say good morning!
In his words - I am processing nicely! I am sore but not taking any pain meds and I have even done a few loads of laundry and washed dishes! I got the kids ready for baseball, got their beds ready, yelled at them from the couch and I even took a shower and shaved away my Grizzly Adams look!!
Now is a time for healing. We will see the doctors every 3 months for the first year and every four months for the 2nd & 3rd year. Then every 6 months until the 5 year marker and then 1X a year after that point! I think we should have the UCI Urology staff over for dinner to get to know them better since we will be spending so much time with them in the years to come!
We have NEW PRAYER REQUESTS! All of your prayers have been answered so we would like to enlist all of you once again for some more! Most of you seem to have a direct line to our Creator so WE REALLY NEED the following prayer:
1. Continued healing for Gary - everything goes perfect with the new bladder
2. Quick recovery for Gary
3. A job for Gary - Please pray for God to bring Gary the perfect job opportunity - Pray for a company to come his way that desires a knowledgable, loyal, hard-working, wonderful, skilled man to be an important part of their company!
WE KNOW THAT THIS IS WHAT GOD WANTS FOR GARY and we have to patiently wait on the timing of it all!
4. Protection and peace while we wait for Gary to go back to work.
We have 100% faith in our Father that He will provide for us - healing, peace, patience, and a job. Look what He has done so far! He placed all of you in our lives and for that we are eternally grateful and you could never realize how much we cherish your support and kindness and love and awesome meals and everything else!! Thank you thank you thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
PRAYER WORKS! Please remember that!
Love,
L&G (G is back!) YEAH!!!! I just love my hubby!
Hey, I squeezed out 3 kids, had a bowel resection, hernia surgery (7 months PG) and had double pneumonia (PG also) and I was up doing everything within a day or two! Get going Gary!
After reading the paragraph above to Gary he simply shrugged his eyebrows as if to say - wait I definitely can't repeat what he said here!! Let's pray for his salvation for that comment!
All kidding aside and let's get serious! He is doing GREAT and it is SUPER GREAT having him back home! The kids love him being back and woke up this morning wanting to wake him just to say good morning!
In his words - I am processing nicely! I am sore but not taking any pain meds and I have even done a few loads of laundry and washed dishes! I got the kids ready for baseball, got their beds ready, yelled at them from the couch and I even took a shower and shaved away my Grizzly Adams look!!
Now is a time for healing. We will see the doctors every 3 months for the first year and every four months for the 2nd & 3rd year. Then every 6 months until the 5 year marker and then 1X a year after that point! I think we should have the UCI Urology staff over for dinner to get to know them better since we will be spending so much time with them in the years to come!
We have NEW PRAYER REQUESTS! All of your prayers have been answered so we would like to enlist all of you once again for some more! Most of you seem to have a direct line to our Creator so WE REALLY NEED the following prayer:
1. Continued healing for Gary - everything goes perfect with the new bladder
2. Quick recovery for Gary
3. A job for Gary - Please pray for God to bring Gary the perfect job opportunity - Pray for a company to come his way that desires a knowledgable, loyal, hard-working, wonderful, skilled man to be an important part of their company!
WE KNOW THAT THIS IS WHAT GOD WANTS FOR GARY and we have to patiently wait on the timing of it all!
4. Protection and peace while we wait for Gary to go back to work.
We have 100% faith in our Father that He will provide for us - healing, peace, patience, and a job. Look what He has done so far! He placed all of you in our lives and for that we are eternally grateful and you could never realize how much we cherish your support and kindness and love and awesome meals and everything else!! Thank you thank you thank you from the bottom of our hearts!
PRAYER WORKS! Please remember that!
Love,
L&G (G is back!) YEAH!!!! I just love my hubby!
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
HOMEWARD BOUND
He is coming home! It is official and we are all so excited! All of his pathology reports are clear and things are progressing well! He is coming home with my Mom and Gay!
I will do a more in depth posting tonight but right now I have baseball and karate detail!
Love and Hugs!
Lisa
I will do a more in depth posting tonight but right now I have baseball and karate detail!
Love and Hugs!
Lisa
Sunday, September 2, 2007
It's a Double!
It is official! Gary had an entire double cheeseburger today and it only took him 20 minutes to wolf it down! He opted to skip dinner because the burger was more than enough for his stomach - which is probably the size of an acorn at this point!
Gary got his IVs out today and we also removed his super sexy white thigh high compression hose! I know he was sad to see those babies go!
The boys got to spend a couple hours with Daddy today and we walked several laps around 5T for the first time without an IV cart! He did a great job walking around on his own. His sciatic nerve is still bothering him but that's an easy fix! Gary has to use a walker at home for the first couple of weeks. I thought I would go buy him one of those baskets we used to put on our banana seat bikes and fasten it to the front of his walker! This way he can carry drinks, food, remotes, his phone, etc. in his little basket. Maybe I will get him one of the little bells that I used to have on my bike as well!
Hopefully Gary will get to come home Tuesday. We miss him soooooooo much!! I hate sleeping alone. I haven't minded not waking up to seriously loud snoring but even a small part of me misses that too! We are waiting for pathology results and for the doctors to give him the test to make sure his new bladder is working completely.
I can't believe summer is ending and school is beginning. I know this is going to be a great year for all of us!
I will let you know what we hear from the morning rounds (1st shift MD's)! We are off to T-street in the morning for a few hours of body boarding!
Have a great night and remember to thank God even for the smallest things in life! Acknowledge Him in everything you do and for everything you have!
Love,
L :)
Gary got his IVs out today and we also removed his super sexy white thigh high compression hose! I know he was sad to see those babies go!
The boys got to spend a couple hours with Daddy today and we walked several laps around 5T for the first time without an IV cart! He did a great job walking around on his own. His sciatic nerve is still bothering him but that's an easy fix! Gary has to use a walker at home for the first couple of weeks. I thought I would go buy him one of those baskets we used to put on our banana seat bikes and fasten it to the front of his walker! This way he can carry drinks, food, remotes, his phone, etc. in his little basket. Maybe I will get him one of the little bells that I used to have on my bike as well!
Hopefully Gary will get to come home Tuesday. We miss him soooooooo much!! I hate sleeping alone. I haven't minded not waking up to seriously loud snoring but even a small part of me misses that too! We are waiting for pathology results and for the doctors to give him the test to make sure his new bladder is working completely.
I can't believe summer is ending and school is beginning. I know this is going to be a great year for all of us!
I will let you know what we hear from the morning rounds (1st shift MD's)! We are off to T-street in the morning for a few hours of body boarding!
Have a great night and remember to thank God even for the smallest things in life! Acknowledge Him in everything you do and for everything you have!
Love,
L :)
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Unlimited Liquids
Tomato Bisque, coffee, "mystery custard", sherbert and juice - just what a man wants to eat after involuntarily fasting for 7 days! Well, this was his first official "meal" and after eating it he told the nurse not to bother bringing dinner!
Anyhow, he has now graduated to an unlimited liquid diet for the time being. Hopefully they will add some soft foods soon!
Let me tell you that every doctor and every nurse LOVES Gary's room! One of the Urologists told us that in the 4 years of being at this hospital he has never seen such a HAPPY & COOL room! We had so much help with all the decor and we are so thankful to everyone who made posters, sent E-mails, brought balloons, brought flowers, brought stuft animals and brought cards!
I would venture to say that Gary had a pretty good day today. He never asked for pain meds (he is officially off ALL pain meds) and Don brought some holographic disks to place on Gary's body to help with his sciatica. Today I tried to help ease his sciatic pain and instead after slightly applying pressure to his "tender area" he squealed like a little girl! Hey, I tried.
Gary did a few laps today around the 5T and he had lots of visitors. Gary is really becoming super social - which surprises most! Remember God can do great things through trial.
Thank you for all your prayers! Keep them coming!
Signing off for now. I need to take a shower and watch Wild Hogs!
Love, L
Anyhow, he has now graduated to an unlimited liquid diet for the time being. Hopefully they will add some soft foods soon!
Let me tell you that every doctor and every nurse LOVES Gary's room! One of the Urologists told us that in the 4 years of being at this hospital he has never seen such a HAPPY & COOL room! We had so much help with all the decor and we are so thankful to everyone who made posters, sent E-mails, brought balloons, brought flowers, brought stuft animals and brought cards!
I would venture to say that Gary had a pretty good day today. He never asked for pain meds (he is officially off ALL pain meds) and Don brought some holographic disks to place on Gary's body to help with his sciatica. Today I tried to help ease his sciatic pain and instead after slightly applying pressure to his "tender area" he squealed like a little girl! Hey, I tried.
Gary did a few laps today around the 5T and he had lots of visitors. Gary is really becoming super social - which surprises most! Remember God can do great things through trial.
Thank you for all your prayers! Keep them coming!
Signing off for now. I need to take a shower and watch Wild Hogs!
Love, L
911
If I were smart enough I would be able to post a picture with a post next to it! However, I do not know how to do this and hopefully my dear friend Michele will fix this for me!!!
So, the elevator opens at the hospital while Gary, my Mom, the boys and I are out for a stroll around the fifth floor and out comes a police officer. Let's rewind one minute before when we caught the boys playing with the pay phone and found out that they dialed 911 - Nate & Jax of course. The police man walks our way and somehow knows it is these innocent looking boys who had dialed this forbidden number! He gave the boys a stern talking to and I am hoping this will never happen again! For those of you who are snickering - HA HA!!! Not funny!
Anyhow, Gary had a fairly good afternoon and is completely off of pain medication. No srip and no IV meds. He has a painful sciatic nerve and is on 8 ounces of liquid (TOTAL) per day and is still not eating anything (NOT BY CHOICE) and other issues we won't discuss here and now! On a positive note he is recovering nicely and is VERY anxious to come home! We are hoping maybe Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest.
PLEASE keep praying for the pathology results to come back CLEAN! Also, pray that Gary continues to heal and keeps positive!
Once again I am feeling the need to thank everyone for EVERYTHING! We are so insanely blessed by everyone and we love all of you and thank God for you every hour of every day!
A shout out to the girlfriends - THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. I love all of you!
I need to go to bed and will update you tomorrow. My Mom and I are watchng What Not To Wear and I love that show! Beats ICE TRUCKERS!!! :)
Love, L
So, the elevator opens at the hospital while Gary, my Mom, the boys and I are out for a stroll around the fifth floor and out comes a police officer. Let's rewind one minute before when we caught the boys playing with the pay phone and found out that they dialed 911 - Nate & Jax of course. The police man walks our way and somehow knows it is these innocent looking boys who had dialed this forbidden number! He gave the boys a stern talking to and I am hoping this will never happen again! For those of you who are snickering - HA HA!!! Not funny!
Anyhow, Gary had a fairly good afternoon and is completely off of pain medication. No srip and no IV meds. He has a painful sciatic nerve and is on 8 ounces of liquid (TOTAL) per day and is still not eating anything (NOT BY CHOICE) and other issues we won't discuss here and now! On a positive note he is recovering nicely and is VERY anxious to come home! We are hoping maybe Tuesday or Wednesday at the latest.
PLEASE keep praying for the pathology results to come back CLEAN! Also, pray that Gary continues to heal and keeps positive!
Once again I am feeling the need to thank everyone for EVERYTHING! We are so insanely blessed by everyone and we love all of you and thank God for you every hour of every day!
A shout out to the girlfriends - THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU. I love all of you!
I need to go to bed and will update you tomorrow. My Mom and I are watchng What Not To Wear and I love that show! Beats ICE TRUCKERS!!! :)
Love, L
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